Cedar Rapids False Cypress
Best low-maintenance evergreen for gardeners seeking quick, deer-resistant privacy.
Introducing the Cedar Rapids® False Cypress, a fast-growing evergreen shrub ideal for creating dense privacy hedges or as a standout specimen plant. Botanically known as Chamaecyparis pisifera, this cultivar boasts a feathery, fern-like texture and naturally maintains an attractive pyramidal shape, reducing the need for frequent pruning. It offers a growth rate comparable to arborvitae for screening purposes and is notably deer resistant. Suitable for USDA Zones 4-8 and thriving in full to part sun, it's a versatile, low-maintenance choice for enhancing your landscape year-round.
$23.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
34
/ 2609
#34 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-39%
Below average
Botanical name
1
/ Chamaecyparis pisifera × ‘RutCham’
Who it's for
- Busy gardeners wanting a tidy look without constant pruning
- Designers seeking year-round visual interest and soft textural contrast
- Urban dwellers with limited space for containers or rock gardens
Who should skip it
- Impatient landscapers looking for immediate, full-sized results
- Gardeners working with heavy, moisture-retaining clay soil
- Owners living in hot, dry climates prone to pest issues
Performance breakdown
Privacy Screening Potential
Fast growth rate creates dense, effective visual barriers quickly.
Maintenance Requirements
Naturally pyramidal form minimizes the need for regular pruning.
Deer Resistance
Reliably deters local wildlife from damaging your landscape investment.
Hardiness Versatility
Thrives across a broad range of climates from zones 4-8.
Foliage Aesthetic
Feathery, fern-like texture adds sophisticated visual interest year-round.
Growth Habit
Predictable, tidy structure makes it an ideal specimen plant.
Key Specs
Botanical name
Chamaecyparis pisifera × ‘RutCham1’
Patent #
PPAF, CBRAF
USDA Hardiness Zones
4-8
Mature Height
30 feet
Mature Width
12-15 feet
Light Requirement
Full sun to part sun
Foliage Color
Deep green, evergreen
Growth Rate
Fast
Features
- Fast-growing evergreen for privacy
- Feathery, fern-like foliage
- Naturally tidy pyramidal shape
- Excellent deer resistance
- Provides year-round visual interest
- Low maintenance requirements
- Suitable for containers
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the 'Cedar Rapids' False Cypress for its superior quality and year-round aesthetic appeal. Reviewers consistently highlight the plant's soft, feathery texture and attractive blue green silvery foliage, noting its ability to provide essential structure in the landscape. The stock quality is frequently commended, with plants arriving healthy and robust, ensuring successful establishment. Gardeners appreciate its manageable pyramidal growth habit, making it ideal for focal points or smaller spaces. While proper drainage is important for optimal performance, the plant is generally regarded as hardy and low maintenance once settled. Overall satisfaction remains extremely high, positioning this evergreen as a durable and highly recommended garden addition.
Know before you buy
This cultivar is considered a fast-growing evergreen, with a growth rate comparable to standard arborvitae. While exact speed depends on your local climate and soil conditions, it is specifically bred to establish a dense privacy screen quickly.
No, one of the primary benefits of this variety is its naturally tidy, pyramidal growth habit. It maintains its form on its own, which significantly reduces the need for frequent or heavy pruning.
While it eventually reaches a mature height of 30 feet, it can be kept in a container for a period. However, given its size potential, it will eventually require transplanting into the ground to thrive long-term.
Yes, this variety is noted for its deer resistance. While no plant is completely deer-proof if food sources are scarce, it is much less likely to be targeted by deer than many other common landscape shrubs.
The Cedar Rapids False Cypress prefers well-drained soil and performs best in locations that receive full sun to part sun. Ensure the planting site has adequate drainage to prevent water from pooling around the roots.
Yes, this plant is hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8. It is specifically rated to withstand the colder temperatures found in Zone 4, making it a reliable evergreen choice for northern climates.
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